Kalopa fatality 09-11-12

Media Release

A 61-year-old woman and a 54-year-old woman, both from Keaʻau, died Monday (September 10) from injuries they received in a two- vehicle crash on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 19), .2 miles east of the 39-mile-marker in the Hamakua District.

The victim’s were identified as Josefina B. Visaya, 61, and Patrocinia R. Cadang, 54, both of a Keaʻau address.

Responding to a 4:24 p.m. call, Hamakua patrol and Traffic Enforcement Unit officers determined that a 30-year-old Honokaʻa man was operating a 1993 Nissan pick-up truck and traveling east on Mamalahoa Highway (Route 19) when he overtook a 2005 Ford van being operated by a 45-year-old Keaʻau man with 8-passengers.

The Nissan pick-up truck was returning to the east bound lane when it collided with the Ford van.

The two victims from the Ford van were transported to the Hilo Medical Center where they were pronounced dead at 9:30 p.m.

The driver of the Ford van was transported to the North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital where he was later treated and released with minor injuries. Other passengers within the van, a 23-year-old woman and 23-year-old man, both from Keaʻau, were transported to the Hilo Medical Center where they were treated and released with minor injuries. A 46-year-old Keaʻau woman was medevaced to the Queens Medical Center on Oʻahu in critical condition, another 46-year-old Keaʻau woman was transported to the North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital in critical condition and a 46-year-old Keaʻau woman was transported to the Hilo Medical Center in critical condition. A 55-year-old Keaʻau man was also transported to the North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital in stable condition.

The driver of the Nissan truck, identified as Alfred Berdon III, was arrested for 2 counts of negligent homicide, 4 counts of negligent injury, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, driving while license suspended/revoked and no no fault insurance. He was also arrested for an outstanding bench warrant.

Berdon is being held at the East Hawaiʻi Detention Center pending further investigation.

Police believe that alcohol and speed were a factor in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit Officers have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Paul Kim at 333-9708.

This is the 28th and 29th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared to 15 at the same time last year.